On September 18, 2022, Governor Newsom signed California Assembly Bill (AB) 2188, which makes it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment based upon: (1) a person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, except for preemployment drug
Ellen E. Cohen
The City of Los Angeles Raises Minimum Wage to $25 for Certain Healthcare Workers
On June 29, 2022, the Los Angeles City Council approved a new minimum wage ordinance for certain healthcare workers at privately-owned healthcare facilities within the City of Los Angeles. The mayor is anticipated to sign the ordinance, which will become effective 30 days after his signature.
Minimum Wage
On the effective date of the ordinance,…
New Legislation Prevents Food Delivery Platforms From Retaining Amounts Designated as Tips or Gratuity
California’s Governor passed Assembly Bill 286 (AB 286) which amends the Fair Food Delivery Act of 2020. AB 286 makes it unlawful for a food delivery platform to charge a customer any purchase price for food or beverage that exceeds the price posted by the food facility on the food delivery platform’s internet website at…
City of Los Angeles Requires Vaccine Leave for Employees Working in the City
The state and some local COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave requirements continue through the summer. And the City of Los Angeles’ mayor issued a public order mandating additional paid leave.
Under the order, employees who work within the City of Los Angeles and have been employed by their employer for 60 days are entitled…
Simple, Stringent, And Slow: New Reopening Plans for California
On August 28th, Governor Newsom announced new reopening plans for California in hopes of preventing another COVID-19 surge. The plan incorporates information learned over the past six months in addition to new scientific discoveries to create a system for reducing the transmission of COVID-19. It involves a four-tiered color system that ranks counties based on…
Reimbursements and Remote Work 101
In March 2020, many employers suddenly found themselves managing a mostly remote workforce due to COVID-19. As the pandemic stretches on, some businesses remain remote because of necessity, while others are considering the many advantages of a remote workforce.
As employees continue teleworking, employers should familiarize themselves with the requirements for reimbursement under California law.…
New DIR Guidance for Safe Reopening
At the end of July, the Department of Industrial Relations (“DIR”) released guidance to assist with the safe reopening of businesses in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance covers the following topics:
- Employer Obligations to Keep the Workplace and Employees Safe
- Face Coverings
- Medical Checks
- Returning to the Worksite
- Waivers of Liability
The…
Most Counties in California Now Permitted to Move to Accelerated Stage 2 Reopening
At the beginning of May, California implemented a staged reopening for businesses closed due to the shelter in place orders resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan, referred to as the “Resilience Roadmap” allowed for counties to apply for a variance if certain criteria set by the state public health officer are met. The variances…
Court Holds that Attorney is Not Bound by Confidentiality Provision
On August 13, 2018, the California Fourth District of Appeal held in Monster Energy Company v. Schechter that an attorney who signed his client’s settlement agreement under the phrase “approved as to form and content” was entitled to the granting of an anti-SLAPP motion in a case against him for breaching the confidentiality provision of…